What about COP27?

The 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) takes place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt between 6^th and 18^th November 2022.  Last year’s COP26 negotiations in Glasgow were a failure which has left us on track for a 2.7 degrees warming – reflecting the inaction and greenwash of rich governments and corporations who are sacrificing frontline communities for profit and power. But whilst governments failed to act, the success story of COP26 was that it led to the climate justice movement becoming more connected, more educated and more outspoken.  

If you are worried about the lack of action from our leaders, make sure your MP is supporting the Climate and Ecology Bill or email them to do so, using this quick and easy tool.

This year the COP27 Coalition, an African and Arab led coalition of NGOs, trade unions, grassroots community campaigns, faith groups, youth activists and others aims to centre climate justice and the voices of the most impacted, especially from the Global South, at COP27. But in many countries across the Global South, brutal regimes ban protests and strikes, and lock up those who dare challenge big businesses or the state. The Egyptian government has detained tens of thousands of people for simply expressing their opinions, joining opposition groups or attempting to organise protests and strikes. Egypt’s military dictatorship is strongly supported by Western governments through arms deals, diplomatic backing and trade relations and so Egyptian activists are calling on us to join the protests for climate justice and to lend our voices to their struggle.

Christian Climate Action (CCA) will be out there supporting some of these protests. Come and stand with us – 

The Camino To COP and Earth Vigil people are organising a vigil for one hour each day for the duration of COP27.

This is our small act of solidarity with the thousands of activists and human rights defenders who suffer intimidation, harassment, arrest, detention, torture and death in Egypt for their engagement in climate and other social justice issues. We are calling on our Government and civil society organisations attending COP27 to speak out about this repression. Unless civil and political freedoms are defended, there will be no meaningful climate justice. Last year over a thousand people walked some way with us on our journey to Glasgow as we carried our message of climate justice to COP26 or joined us outside the gates to the conference. Will you bear witness with us this year?

The vigil will take place outside the Carriage Gate entrance to Parliament between 1 and 2pm daily between 6th and 18th November and you can join for any part of that.

It would be helpful if you could sign up here if you are planning on coming, – but come even if you don’t get around to signing up. Bring a candle in jar, wear weather appropriate clothing (the vigil will go ahead even if it rains) and bring something to sit on if you need to.

On Saturday 12th November a Global Day of Action has been called by Egyptian groups at COP27 and we are asking people to go along to their local protest, in support of these and other activists in places where they can’t gather and take action as we can. 

There are regional events across the country.  In London, Bristol, Newcastle and Southampton there are CCA people who have offered to be the point of contact for other local people. Email us at christianclimateaction a_t gmail d_o_t com if you want to be put in touch or if you can be a point of contact in another location  (we will be amending the list as we go along).

LONDON – Meet at Shell Building 12:00 (Someone from CCA will be there) 
EDINBURGH – Meet at St Andrew Sq 12:00 
NEWCASTLE – Meet at Grey’s Monument 12:00 (Someone from CCA will be there) 
BIRMINGHAM – Meet at Victoria Sq 14:00
SHEFFIELD – Meet at Barkers Pool 12:00
BRISTOL – Meet at College Green 12:00 (Someone from CCA will be there)
PLYMOUTH – Meet at Guildhall Sq 11:00
SOUTHAMPTON – Meet at Guildhall Sq 12:45 (Someone from CCA will be there)
CARDIFF – Meet at Cardiff Crown Court 11:00
SWANSEA – Meet at Castle Square 12:00
CARMARTHEN – Meet at Carmarthen Park 12:30
BLACKPOOL – location tbc.
EASTBOURNE – location tbc.
CORNWALL – location tbc.
DERRY & DUBLIN – organised by CJC Ireland
BELFAST – organised by CJC Belfast
LEICESTER – Meet at Clock Tower 14:00
LEAMINGTON SPA – Meet at Pump Room Gardens 12:00
MARKET HARBOROUGH – Meet at Old Grammar School 13:00


Respecting and protecting human rights and protecting the environment are inextricably linked. The work of civil society is vital if we are to have meaningful climate action and a just transition and the importance of the right to freedom of expression and independent reporting is essential to addressing the climate crisis.

Governments must live up to their duty both to protect the Earth and to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. You can read more about the restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in Egypt which undermine the COP27 summit on the Egyptian Human Rights Coalition on COP27 website.




_{Source: https://christianclimateaction.org/2022/10/25/what-about-cop27/}